Adjustable support column

ABSTRACT

An adjustable support column for an architectural panel has a vertical column, an angular support and outriggers for attachment of panels. The support column is used as a component in an architectural disguise for radio antennae.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an adjustable support column suitable for use as an universal mounting support in the fabrication of structures to disguise transmitting and receiving antennae.

BACKGROUND IN PRIOR ART

[0002] The proliferation of wireless devices including, but not limited to digital television receivers and cellular telephone transmitters/receivers has greatly increased the number of antennae, particularly in populated areas. To many people living in those areas, these functional devices are considered to seriously detract from the aesthetic character of the surrounding area. This is a particular problem in so called “Historic Districts” in which people strive to maintain the outward appearance of the world before Marconi.

[0003] Numerous designs have been developed to integrate antennae into unobtrusive or existing structures. U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,778 to Radov incorporates a satellite dish with an adjustable mount into an inclined roof of a building with the dish covered by large bubble. U.S. Pat. No. 4, 896,164 to Burke et al. discloses a radar/transparent window in the form of plastic sheets having the external appearance of a glass window. U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,362 to Forbes et al. discloses an antenna concealed within an apparently convention plumbing vent stack on the roof of a building. U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,304 to Noble discloses an adjustable antenna including multiple mounting points.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,369 to Newman discloses thin panel antennae which display graphic representations and colorations compatible with the surface of a building. U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,141 to Goodwin discloses an antenna assembly which may be mounted on an existing street light or other utility pole. U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,424 to Reineck et al. discloses antenna enclosures which arc transparent to electromnagnetic radiation but constructed to give the appearance of existing or adjacent architectures. U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,553 to Steenbuck discloses an adjustable antenna bracket for attaching antennae to existing wooden utility poles or to existing rooftops.

[0005] The devices described above suffer from at least one of the following deficiencies:

[0006] (a) They must be custom designed for each specific Application; or

[0007] (b) The antenna has not been rendered inivisible but merely less obtrusive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is the object of this invention to provide a standardized adjustable assembly column for the erection of electromagnetically transparent architectural panels used to disguise radio antennae and particularly cellular phone antennae. The objective is accomplished by providing a vertical support column having a base, an angular support having a base and attached to a vertical support column using an adjustable kicker plate and outriggers mounted to the vertical support column which are adjustable vertically on the column and also extensible horizontally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side view of the adjustable column according to this invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a ¾ layer view of the support column.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a side view of the column with a wall section attached.

[0012]FIG. 4 shows a portion of a wall constructed according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Reineck et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,424 discloses building elements for the construction of enclosures which blend antenna mountings into the overall appearance of a building to effect a disguise. As is evidenced from the disclosure from the Reineck et al. patent, and with particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 thereof, the supports disclosed must be prepared in an offsite fabrication shop or assembled in the field which involves a custom fabrication operation at the job site. The cost of installation and attendant delays are greatly mitigated when the components are standardized in overall dimension and the mounting brackets adjustable to conform to any surface. This is particularly true in situations where the roof of a building has been tapered in some way to facilitate drainage. Flat roofs on old buildings are rarely flat.

[0014] According to the invention, the adjustable assembly of this invention consists of a vertical support column having a base, an angular support articulated from an kicker plate mounted on the vertical support and one or more outriggers adjustably mounted on the vertical support.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the outrigger assembly 1 consists of the vertical column 3 having a base 7. Supporting the vertical column 3 is angular support 5 having an articulated base 9 for mounting onto a surface, which may or may not be the same surface for mounting point base plate 7 and attached to the vertical column at kicker plate 11. Kicker plate 11 is mounted in an adjustable manner so as to be raised or lowered on column 3 and the connection between angular support 5 and the kicker plate allows for the adjustment of the angle between the vertical support and the angular support over a wide range. This adjustment is needed to compensate for changes in the height of the mounting surface(s) and also for those situations when support must be obtained from a vertical architectural element.

[0016] The vertical support is used to locate outriggers. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is a first or upper outrigger 13 and a second or lower outrigger 15. In certain circumstances additional outriggers may be required which may or may not be parallel to the first outriggers.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the vertical support column may be round pipe or tubing, “I” beam, angle section, channel section or square tubing. Square tubing or “T” beams are preferred. The local support column is mounted on a base plate 7. Base plate 7 may be integral with (i.e. welded to) support column 3. Alternatively, a separate foot may be used and the column 3 inserted into or slid over the foot and appropriately secured. A separate foot is required when the vertical support is mounted on a support which is not horizontal. Conventional fastening means including threads, bolts, rivets and pins maybe used. Conventionally the foot plate would be bolted to the support structure although any suitable mounting means including screws, screw anchors or U-clamps could be applied.

[0018] Angular support 5 may be any of the structural shapes discussed with respect to vertical support column 3. Because it is desired to have an adjustable angle at the foot 9 and the kicker plate 11, angle (double) section is preferred. Foot 9 is conventionally a flat plate with a raised ear. The plate may be attached to a surface using suitable means as discussed above. A through bolt traversing both angles and passing through the ear is a preferred method of attachment. Likewise, at the end attached to the vertical support, the kicker plate includes an ear through which a bolt may be passed. Depending upon the severity of the angles the angle brace may face upward (as shown in FIG. 2) or downward.

[0019] Kicker plate 11 is, in the preferred embodiment, a flat plate with a raised ear. The plate is adjustably attached to vertical support column 3 using U-bolts, preferably square U-bolts.

[0020] Outrigger 13 consists of a pair of projecting arms 21, 23 for attachment to the external architectural components such as building elements disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,852,424 to Reineck et al. Typically, they are FRP angle section. The arms are bolted to a forward brace and a rear brace using suitable vertical fasteners 31. The outriggers are secured to upright 3 using horizontal fasteners 29. By tightening or loosening horizontal fasteners 31, the outrigger may be adjusted vertically on support column 3.

[0021]FIG. 3 shows how the support is used to mount a section of wall. Wall 32 is attached to outrigger arms 13,15 using fasteners such as bolts 33. FIG. 4 shows how multiple sections of support and wall sections form an exterior wall. By using standard sizes, the architectural disguises can be fabricated very quickly and in a wide variety of configurations.

[0022] The components of this invention may be metallic or non-metallic or a mixture thereof. All components maybe steel or aluminum. Alternatively, engineering plastics, especially FRP may be used for structural components and fasteners. Composites fall within useful materials that are normally precluded because of costs.

[0023] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description. It is understood that only a preferred embodiment has been shown and described. All changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims a desire to be protected. 

What is claimed:
 1. An adjustable support column for architectural panels comprising: a vertical support column having a base; an angular support having a base; an adjustable kicker plate connecting said vertical support column and said angular support; and at least one outrigger adjustably mounted onto said vertical support column.
 2. An adjustable support column according to claim 1, wherein said vertical support column and said angular support are formed from a metal selected from the group consisting of steel and aluminum.
 3. An adjustable support column according to claim 1 wherein said vertical support column and said angular support are formed from an engineering plastic.
 4. An adjustable support column according to claim 1 wherein each base is a separate element.
 5. An adjustable support column according to claim 1 further comprising an architectural panel mounted on said at least one outrigger, said panel being substantially transparent to microwaves or other electromagnetic waves used in the wireless communications industry.
 6. An adjustable support column according to claim 5 further comprising a second outrigger with said panel clamped between said outriggers. 